Cryopreserving ungulate embryos

ABSTRACT

Technologies for cryopreserving ungulate embryos for implantation into recipient females are described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/192,544, filed Jul. 14, 2015, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

In vitro embryo production is a major component of cattle breeding.Often, more embryos are produced than are implanted. Although over 30%of conception rates have recently been achieved in the embryo transfer(ET) of vitrified in vitro produced (IVP) embryos, the complex processof recovery of these embryos after vitrification remains an obstacle tocommercial use of this technique. There is a need for novel, efficientprotocols for bovine embryo cryopreservation.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides technologies for cryopreserving bovineembryos and/or for achieving fertilization with cryopreserved bovineembryos. The present invention also provides cryopreserved embryos,populations of such cryopreserved embryos, systems for generating and/orstoring them, etc.

Among other things, the present invention encompasses the identificationof a source of a problem with certain available technologies forembryonic transfer of cryopreserved embryos, particularly with processesfor recovering (e.g., thawing, implanting, etc.) cryopreserved embryos.For example, the present disclosure appreciates that personnel and timerequired to recover viable cryopreserved embryos according to manystandard technologies raise concerns with respect to their commercialapplicability.

Furthermore, the present disclosure also appreciates that there is aneed for transfer technologies for cryopreserved embryos that achieveimproved conception rates relative to most standard technologies thatutilize cryopreserved embryos, it being understood that such standardtechnologies typically achieve conception rates that are far below thoseachieved with fresh embryos. Among other things, the present disclosureprovides technologies that achieve desirable (e.g., about 10% or more)conception rates for cryopreserved embryos.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods comprising steps of,for example: obtaining in vitro produced (IVP) ungulate embryos;cryopreserving the embryos; and transferring embryos for implantation inrecipient ungulates, the cryopreservation and transferring beingperformed so that pregnancy rates of at least about 10% are achieved.

In some embodiments, obtaining one or more in vitro produced embryoscomprises steps of, for example: recovering one or more oocytes fromfemales; maturing one or more oocytes in vitro; fertilizing one or moremature oocytes with semen or one or more isolated sperm cells so thatone or more zygotes are generated; and denuding and culturing the one ormore zygotes. In some embodiments, utilized semen are gender separated.In some embodiments, semen are not gender separated.

In some embodiments, maturing oocytes in vitro comprises, for example:incubating oocytes within a physiologically relevant range of for atleast one condition selected from the group consisting of: temperature,presence or amount of gas, humidity, pH, osmolarity, and combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, the presence or amount of a gas isselected from the group consisting of O₂ and CO₂. In some embodiments,the step of maturing oocytes in vitro comprises: incubating oocytes at35-40° C. with 3-9% CO₂ and saturated humidity. In some embodiments, thestep of denuding and culturing zygotes comprises incubating the zygotesat 35-40° C. with 5% CO₂ in air, and saturated humidity. In someembodiments, the step of denuding and culturing zygotes furthercomprises incubating the zygotes at 5% 02.

In some embodiments, cryopreserving embryos comprises steps of, forexample: incubating embryos in a solution comprising cryoprotectant; andimmersing the embryos in liquid nitrogen. In some embodiments, the stepof cryopreserving the embryo comprises steps of: incubating embryos infreezing solution consisting of 1.0-4 M of ethylene glycol for 5-30minutes at a first temperature within a range of about 10° C. to about38° C.; loading the embryos in a receptacle, wherein air bubblesseparate embryos from a thawing solution that comprises ethylene glycolin an isotonic diluent medium; exposing the embryos to a temperaturewithin a range of about −2 to about −10° C. for a time period within arange of about 1 min to about 60 minutes; lowering the temperature at arate within a range of about −0.2 to about −0.8° C. per minute untilreaching a second temperature within a range of about −30 to about −36°C.; and immersing the embryos in liquid nitrogen for storage. In someembodiments, the ethylene glycol is present at a final concentrationwithin a range of about 0.2 to about 1.3 Molar.

In some embodiments, embryos are cryopreserved for direct transfer intorecipient females.

In some embodiments, transferring embryos comprises steps of: culturingembryos in a medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) undermineral oil for a period of time within a range of about 5 to about 9days; and transferring the embryos into recipient ungulates. In someembodiments, the medium is selected from the group consisting of C4medium, SOF medium, SOFaa medium and combinations thereof. In someembodiments the medium is supplemented with one or more of serum, fetalbovine serum, fetal calf serum, bovine serum albumin and/or one or moreamino acids.

In some embodiments, transferred embryos are in a developmental stageselected from the group consisting of morula, early blastocyst,blastocyst and expanded blastocyst.

In some embodiments, recipient ungulates are synchronized. In someembodiments, recipient ungulates are in natural estrus. In someembodiments, embryos are fresh, vitrified, or frozen. In someembodiments, ungulates are cattle. In some embodiments, embryos of aspecies are selected from Bos Taurus, Bos indicus, and crossed breed Bosindicus-taurus.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a cryopreserved embryoproduced by a method comprising steps of, for example: obtaining invitro produced (IVP) ungulate embryos; cryopreserving the embryos underconditions so that, when the cryopreserved embryos are transferred torecipient ungulates, pregnancy rates of at least about 10% are achieved.In some embodiments, obtaining in vitro produced embryos comprises stepsof, for example: recovering oocytes from females; maturing oocytes invitro; fertilizing mature oocytes with semen; and denuding and culturingzygotes. In some embodiments, maturing oocytes in vitro comprisesincubating oocytes within a physiologically relevant range of for atleast one condition selected from the group consisting of: temperature,presence or amount of gas, humidity, pH, osmolarity, and combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, transferring embryos comprises steps of:culturing embryos in a medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin(BSA) under mineral oil for a period of time within a range of about 5to about 9 days; and transferring the embryos into recipient ungulates.

In some embodiments, media utilized in accordance with the presentinvention is or comprises a medium selected from the group consisting ofC4 medium, SOF medium, SOFaa medium and combinations thereof. In someembodiments the medium is supplemented with one or more of serum, fetalbovine serum, fetal calf serum, bovine serum albumin and/or one or moreamino acids.

In some embodiments, embryos cryopreserved and/or transferred inaccordance with the present disclosure are in a developmental stageselected from the group consisting of morula, early blastocyst,blastocyst, and expanded blastocyst.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a device comprising: areceptacle; a cryopreserved embryo in cryopreservation solutionpositioned within a first region of the receptacle, which first regionis flanked by: second and third regions, each of which contains air,which second and third regions are flanked by: fourth and fifth regions,each of which contain thawing solutions, which fourth and fifth regionsare flanked by: sixth and seventh regions, each of which contain air,which sixth and seventh regions are flanked by: eighth and ninthregions, each of which contain thawing solutions. In some embodiments,one or more of the regions is a chamber in that the chamber is definedby a physical partition entity that provides a barrier between it and atleast one other region with which it is adjacent. In some embodiments,the invention provides a plurality of the devices.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods comprising steps of:cryopreserving a plurality of ungulate embryos; and transferring theplurality embryos into recipient ungulates, wherein the cryopreservingand transferring are performed so that a conception rate of at least 30%is achieved. In some embodiments, the step of cryopreserving positioningeach embryo in cryopreservation solution within a first region of areceptacle, which first region is flanked by: second and third regions,each of which contains air, which second and third regions are flankedby: fourth and fifth regions, each of which contain thawing solutions,which fourth and fifth regions are flanked by: sixth and seventhregions, each of which contain air, which sixth and seventh regions areflanked by: eighth and ninth regions, each of which contain thawingsolution.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of freezing embryos,for example comprising: exposing ungulate embryos to freezing solution(SC), consisting of about 1 to about 4M of ethylene glycol for 10minutes at 35° C.; positioning each embryo, in a freezing solution (SC),within a receptacle dimensioned as a straw, so that the embryo infreezing solution is, surrounded by four columns of thawing solution(SD), interleaved by columns of air between them, wherein the thawingsolution comprises about 0.75 M of ethylene glycol; exposing thereceptacle to temperature conditions stabilized at a temperature withina range of about 0° C. to about −10° C.; crystallizing the columns aboveand below the embryo two minutes after being placed in the freezingmachine; maintaining the embryo for 1 to 60 minutes at a temperaturewithin a range of about 0° C. to about −10° C.; lowering the temperatureat a rate within a range of about −0.2° C. to about −0.8° C. per minuteuntil reaching a second temperature within a range of about −30° C. toabout −36° C.; and immersing the frozen embryos in liquid nitrogen. Insome embodiments, the receptacle, containing the frozen embryo, isimmersed in liquid nitrogen after reaching the second temperature withina range of about −30° C. to about −36° C.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of thawing embryos,for example comprising: exposing a receptacle that contains acryopreserved embryo in cryopreservation solution positioned within afirst region of the receptacle, which first region is flanked by: secondand third regions, each of which contains air, which second and thirdregions are flanked by: fourth and fifth regions, each of which containthawing solutions, which fourth and fifth regions are flanked by: sixthand seventh regions, each of which contain air, which sixth and seventhregions are flanked by: eighth and ninth regions, each of which containthawing solutions to room temperature air for a first period of time,which first period of time is sufficient to begin thawing the frozenembryos; exposing the receptacle to a thawing environment characterizedby a thawing temperature within a range of about 10° C. to about 38° C.for a second period of time, which second period of time is sufficientto thaw the freezing solution; and mixing the thawing solution, freezingsolution and embryo within the receptacle. In some embodiments, thefirst period of time is within a range of about 10° C. to about 38° C.In some embodiments, the second period of time is within a range ofabout 20° C. to about 38° C. In some embodiments, the thawingenvironment is or comprises a liquid bath. In some embodiments, thethawing temperature is within a range of about 10° C. to about 38° C. Insome embodiments, the step of mixing is achieved through gentleagitation of the receptacle. In some embodiments, the method of thawingfurther includes a step of transferring the embryo into a recipientungulate. In some embodiments, the transferring is performedsimultaneously with or after the step of exposing or the step of mixing.In some embodiments, the step of transferring comprises transferring theembryo to the recipient ungulate's uterine horn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a loading scheme for using frozen embryos in directtransfer of embryos. As depicted in this Figure, embryos in freezingsolution may be arranged in devices (e.g., one embryo per device) inwhich regions of solution are separated by regions of air. For example,as depicted in FIG. 1 , an embryo 100 in freezing solution 200 islocalized within a first region 300 (greyed in FIG. 1 ) of a columnardevice 400 (e.g., a straw). Immediately flanking that first region aretwo regions (second 305 and third 315 regions, each of which is stippledin FIG. 1 ) that contain air, and then two regions (fourth 310 and fifth320 regions, each of which is striped in FIG. 1 ) that contain thawingsolution, followed by two more regions (sixth 325 and seventh 335regions, each of which is stippled in FIG. 1 ) that also contain air,followed by two more regions (eighth 330 and ninth 340 regions, each ofwhich is striped in FIG. 1 ) that also contain thawing solution. Theparticular device depicted in Figure one is a 0.25 mL straws are placedon a central column; the freezing solution is 1.5 M ethylene glycol; andthe thawing solution is a 1:1 dilution of the freezing solution in DPBS,so that it is 0.75 M ethylene glycol in DPBS.

FIGS. 2A and B (together comprising FIG. 2 ) depict overviews of theFreezing (FIG. 2A) and Thawing (FIG. 2B) schemes as outlined in theExemplification of the present disclosure.

DEFINITIONS

In order for the present invention to be more readily understood,certain terms are defined below. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that definitions for certain terms may be provided elsewherein the specification, and/or will be clear from context.

Approximately: As used herein, the term “approximately” or “about,” asapplied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that issimilar to a stated reference value. In certain embodiments, the term“approximately” or “about” refers to a range of values that fall within25%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%,6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in either direction (greater than orless than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated orotherwise evident from the context (except where such number wouldexceed 100% of a possible value).

Artificial Insemination (AI): As used herein, the term “artificialinsemination (AI)” refers to introduction by the hand of man of semeninto a female bovine's uterus to achieve pregnancy. In many embodiments,AI is utilized in breeding, for example so that resulting pregnanciesare (or are intended to be) carried to term. In some embodiments, AI iscarried out with collected semen. In some embodiments, AI is carried outwith extracted semen. In some embodiments, AI is carried out with sementhat has been processed; for example, in some embodiments, the semen hasbeen sexed so that it is enriched for sperm of only one gender. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that. Unless otherwise expresslyindicated, the term “AI” does not encompass embryos transfer procedures,where, for example, semen may be introduced into a cow to generateembryos for transfer.

Blastocyst: As used herein, the term “blastocyst” refers to a structureformed in the early development of mammals. It possesses an inner cellmass (ICM) which subsequently forms the embryo. The trophoblast is theouter layer of cells of the blastocyst. This layer surrounds an innercell mass (which is a source of embryonic stem cells) and a fluid-filledcavity known as the blastocoele. The trophoblast gives rise to theplacenta. The use of blastocysts for in-vitro fertilization (IVF)involves culturing a fertilized egg before implanting it into a bovineuterus.

Breed: As used herein, the term “breed” refers to a group of ungulates(e.g., cattle) having common ancestors and/or sharing certaindistinguishable traits that are not shared ungulates of other breeds.Those skilled in the art are familiar with breed standards and/orcharacteristics. In many embodiments, a particular breed is producedand/or maintained by mating particular identified parent or parents(e.g., a particular sire with a particular dam or with any one dame fromof a particular dam line) with one another.

Comparable: The term “comparable” is used herein to describe two (ormore) sets of conditions, circumstances, individuals, or populationsthat are sufficiently similar to one another to permit comparison ofresults obtained or phenomena observed. In some embodiments, comparablesets of conditions, circumstances, individuals, or populations arecharacterized by a plurality of substantially identical features and oneor a small number of varied features. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that sets of circumstances, individuals, or populationsare comparable to one another when characterized by a sufficient numberand type of substantially identical features to warrant a reasonableconclusion that differences in results obtained or phenomena observedunder or with different sets of circumstances, individuals, orpopulations are caused by or indicative of the variation in thosefeatures that are varied. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thatrelative language used herein (e.g., enhanced, activated, reduced,inhibited, etc.) will typically refer to comparisons made undercomparable conditions.

Crossbreed: As used herein, the term “crossbreed” refers to ungulates(e.g., cattle) produced from gametes of individual animals that aredifferent breeds or varieties of ungulates (e.g., cattle). Crossbreedingis often performed in dairy cattle farming to produce healthier, moreproductive cattle compared to the parent breeds. Crossbreeding is thedeliberate mating of animals from different breeds or strains; in manyembodiments crossbreeding is designed to take advantage of heterosis(hybrid vigor) for characteristics like production, fertility andlongevity. In some embodiments, the present disclosure encompasses theinsight that recent developments relating to artificial inseminationand/or in vitro fertilization, not typically employed in the dairycattle industry, can be utilized to enable and/or provide certainadvantages with respect to generating and/or maintaining crossbreedlines of dairy cattle as described herein. As described herein,crossbreed ungulates of particular interest are hybrids, in which 50% ofthe animal's somatic chromosomes are from one strain or line and 50% arefrom a different strain or line (i.e., formed by crossing FO individualsfrom first and second strains/lines that differ from one another. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the term“crossbreed” can be used in some embodiments (as is clear from context)to refer to any individual whose genome, as a result of crossing, is not100% from any single breed.

Diploid Cell: As used herein, the term “diploid cell” refers to a cellwith a homologous pair of each of its autosomal chromosomes, with twocopies (2 n) of each autosomal genetic locus.

Developmental Stage: As used herein, the term “developmental stage”refers to stages of embryonic development. In some embodiments,developmental stages include: the morula, early blastocyst, blastocyst,and expanded blastocyst.

Direct Transfer: As used herein, the term “direct transfer” refers to amethod of slowly cryopreserving an embryo. Embryos are incubated infreezing solution comprising cryoprotectants, such as ethylene glycol orglycerol, and exposed to gradually decreasing temperatures until theembryo is frozen and subsequently immersed in liquid nitrogen. In someembodiments, the embryo within freezing solution is loaded onto a strawthat is exposed to freezing temperatures. The direct transfer method ofcryopreservation is also referred to as slow freezing.

Embryo: As used herein, the term “embryo” refers to a fertilized oocyte(egg) prepared for immediate implantation within a female ungulate orstored for eventual implantation within a female ungulate.

Fresh Transfer: As used herein, the term “fresh transfer” is used torefer to a method of implanting embryos in recipient ungulates (e.g.,cattle) after fertilization—avoiding cryopreservation. In someembodiments, embryos are cultured in vitro for days before beingimplanted into a recipient female.

Gametes: As used herein, the term “gametes” is used to refer toreproductive cells (e.g., spermatozoa or oocytes) having the haploidnumber of chromosomes, especially a mature sperm or egg capable offusing with a gamete of the opposite sex to produce a fertilized egg.Gametes are produced through the process of meiosis.

Gender separated semen: As used herein, the term “gender separatedsemen” refers to semen which has been manipulated to select forspermatocytes of only one preferred gender. In some embodiments, genderseparated semen is also known as sexed semen. In some embodiments,gender separated semen is “gender enriched semen,” which refers to semenwhich has been manipulated to enrich for spermatocytes of only onepreferred gender. In some embodiments, gender enriched semen comprisesat least about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%,about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, or about 99% spermatocytesof only one preferred gender.

Genome Profile: As used herein, the term “genome profile” refers to arepresentative subset of the total information contained within agenome. Typically, a genome profile contains genotypes at a particularset of polymorphic loci. In some embodiments, a genome profile maycorrelate with a particular feature, trait, or set thereofcharacteristic of, for example, a particular animal, line, breed, orcrossbreed population.

Genotype: As used herein, the term “genotype” refers to the diploidcombination of alleles at a given genetic locus, or set of related loci,in a given cell or organism. A homozygous subject carries two copies ofthe same allele and a heterozygous subject carries two distinct alleles.In the simplest case of a locus with two alleles “A” and “a,” threegenotypes can be formed: A/A, A/a, and a/a.

Genotyping: As used herein, the term “genotyping” refers to anexperimental, computational, or observational protocol fordistinguishing an individual's genotype at one or more well-definedloci. Those skilled in the art will be aware of a variety oftechnologies that can usefully and effectively perform genotyping. Insome embodiments, genotyping involves direct detection of a nucleic acidor nucleic acid sequence. In some embodiments, genotyping involvesindirect detection of a nucleic acid or nucleic acid sequence, forexample through detection or analysis of a proxy marker or event thatcorrelates with presence of the nucleic acid or nucleic acid sequence.

Haploid Cell: As used herein, the term “haploid cell” refers to a cellwith a single set (In) chromosome of chromosomes—half the number of asomatic cell.

Heifer: As used herein, the term “heifer” refers to female cattle whohave not yet produced any calves.

Hybrid: As used herein, the term “hybrid” refers to ungulates (e.g.,cattle) produced as a result of crossing male and female gametes fromdifferent breeds or lines of ungulates. Thus, typically, 50% of theautosomal genome (e.g., the somatic genome) of a hybrid is from a firstbreed/line, and 50% is from a second breed/line. Of particular interest,as described herein, are hybrids in which 50% of its somatic chromosomesare from a first breed and 50% are from a second breed.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): As used herein, the term “in vitrofertilization” refers to a method of fertilizing an egg outside of aliving animal. IVF is a process by which an egg is fertilized by spermoutside the body (i.e., in vitro, which literally translates to “inglass” but is understood in the art to refer to processes performed, forexample, in a laboratory or other artificial setting). In someembodiments, an IVF process may involve monitoring and/or stimulating afemale's ovulatory process, removing oocyte or oocytes (egg or eggs)from a female's ovaries, and/or contacting sperm and oocytes with oneanother in a laboratory (e.g., in a fluid medium) to achievefertilization. In some embodiments, IVF involves culturing a fertilizedegg (zygote) in a growth medium and/or either implanting it in afemale's uterus or storing it for future analysis and/or implantation.In some embodiments, IVF may involve sorting fertilized eggs forparticular desired attributes (e.g., gender).

Line: As used herein, the term “line” refers to a strain of cattledescended from common ancestral parents developed and maintained byselective breeding.

Mating: The term “mating,” as used herein, refers to a process thatresults in formation of an embryo, typically from two opposite-gendergametes. In some embodiments, mating involves natural service. In someembodiments, mating involves artificial insemination. In someembodiments, mating involves IVF. In many embodiments described herein,mating is utilized to generate hybrid progeny. In many embodiments,mating is utilized to generate crossbreed progeny.

Morula: As used herein, the term “morula” refers to a stage of embryonicdevelopment. The morula, an early stage embryo which consists of a ballof cells (called blastomeres) contained within the zona pellucida, isproduced from the single-celled zygote by a series of cleavages. Throughcellular differentiation and cavitation, the morula gives rise to theblastocyst. Once a fluid-filled cavity begins to open up in the morula,the blastocyst stage of embryonic development starts. During blastocystformation, the morula's cells differentiate into an inner cell massgrowing on the interior of the blastocoel and trophoblast cells growingon the exterior.

Natural Service: As used herein, the term “natural service” refers totraditional cattle breeding of pairing males and females withoutartificial insemination or IVF-based techniques.

Receptacle: As used herein, the term “receptacle” refers to a device forcontaining one or more cryopreserved embryos. The receptacle may containa series of regions, or chambers, for holding: air, thawing solution, orembryo in cryopreservation solution. In some embodiments, the receptacleis or comprises a straw.

Substantially: As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to thequalitative condition of exhibiting total or near-total extent or degreeof a characteristic or property of interest. One of ordinary skill inthe biological arts will understand that biological and chemicalphenomena rarely, if ever, go to completion and/or proceed tocompleteness or achieve or avoid an absolute result. The term“substantially” is therefore used herein to capture the potential lackof completeness inherent in many biological and chemical phenomena.

Trait: As used herein, the term “trait” refers to a detectable attributeof an individual. Typically, expression of a particular trait may befully or partially influenced by an individual's genetic constitution.In some embodiments, a trait is characteristic of a particularindividual, line, breed or crossbreed, for example in that it can berelied upon (individually or as part of a set) to distinguish thatindividual, line, breed, or crossbreed from others.

Ungulate: As used herein, the term “ungulate” refers to a diverse groupof large mammals that includes equines, bovines/cattle, pigs, goats,buffalo, sheep, giraffes, camels, deer, and hippopotamuses. Mostterrestrial ungulates use the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, tosustain their whole body weight while moving. In some embodiments, theterm means, roughly, “being hoofed” or “hoofed animal”.

Vitrification: As used herein, the term “vitrification” refers to amethod to cryopreserve egg cells (oocytes) and embryos. In someembodiments, embryos are exposed to equilibration and vitrificationsolutions comprising cryoprotectants, such as ethylene glycol orglycerol, and immersed in liquid nitrogen as part of thecryopreservation process.

Zygote: As used herein, the term “zygote” refers to a cell formed whentwo gamete cells are joined by means of sexual reproduction. It is theearliest developmental stage of the embryo. A zygote is synthesized fromthe union of two gametes, and represents the first stage in a uniqueorganism's development. Zygotes are produced by fertilization betweentwo haploid cells—an ovum (female gamete) and a sperm cell (malegamete)—which combine to form the single diploid cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is based, in part upon the discovery that it ispossible to cryopreserve ungulate embryos with improved conception ratesrelative to most standard technologies, whose rates are typically farbelow rates of conception achieved with fresh embryos.

In some embodiments, the invention provides methods comprising steps of:obtaining in vitro produced embryos; cryopreserving the embryos; andtransferring embryos for inplantation in recipient ungulates, thecryopreservation and transferring being performed so that pregnancyrates of at least about 10% are achieved. In some embodiments, theinvention provides embryos cryopreserved by the disclosed methods. Insome embodiments, the invention provides receptacles for freezing,storing and thawing cryopreserved embryos.

In Vitro Produced Embryos

The use of in vitro produced embryos (IVP) has greatly increased overthe last decade (Hasler, 2014). Much of this growth occurred mainly inBrazil. In 2013, more than 393,000 IVP embryos were transferred torecipients, and of this total, 78% were produced in South America. Inthe same year, from the total number of transfers, only 8.9% of IVPembryos were frozen; for embryos in vivo, this proportion was 59%(Perry, 2013).

The IVP embryos are less resistant to cryopreservation than embryos invivo and fetal bovine serum (FBS) added to the culture medium of embryoscan provide the greater accumulation of intracytoplasmic lipid embryos(Mucci et al., 2006) which is one of the factors responsible for theincreased sensitivity of IVP embryos to freezing.

Currently, the cryopreservation technique most commonly used for IVPembryos is vitrification (Dode et al., 2013), for its simplicity, speedand low cost. However, this technique uses high concentrations ofcryoprotectants and requires trained personnel and laboratory structurefor the recovery of embryos before transfer (Vajta et al., 1998),restricting its use in the field and on a large scale.

On the other hand, slow freezing of embryos for subsequent directtransfer, despite having slightly larger operating costs, permits theuse of lower concentrations of cryoprotectants and hence less toxicityof embryos (Voelkel and Hu, 1992).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides for improved methodsof implanting bovine embryos cultured in serum. Cattle that receivefertilized embryos previously incubated in Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) hadsimilar rates of conception as cattle that received embryos withoutprior exposure to FBS. In some embodiments, the present invention is amethod of cryopreserving bovine embryos in such a way that the recipientcattle have conception rates similar to freshly transferred embryos.Cattle that received embryos freshly fertilized had similar conceptionrates as vitrified embryos and direct transfer/slow frozen embryos. Thisdemonstrates that the direct transfer/slow frozen method of embryocryopreservation is as viable as the vitrification method. Forconvenience, direct transfer/slow frozen is an appropriate substitutefor the vitrification method.

In some embodiments, prior to fertilization and cryopreservation,oocytes may undergo in vitro maturation. In some embodiments, the oocyteis incubated in the presence of oxygen (O₂). In some embodiments, theoocyte is incubated in the presence of carbon dioxide (CO₂). In someembodiments, the oocyte is incubated in the presence of 3-9% CO₂. Insome embodiments, the oocyte is incubated in the presence of 5% CO₂. Insome embodiments, the oocyte is incubated in the presence of 5% 02.

Conventional Cattle Husbandry

Animal husbandry is the management and care of farm animals by humansfor profit, in which genetic qualities and behavior, considered to beadvantageous to humans, are further developed. The term can refer to thepractice of selectively breeding and raising livestock to promotedesirable traits in animals for utility, sport, pleasure, or research.

Animal husbandry combines the art and science of raising animals byblending time-honored practices and modern scientific knowledge into asystem that provides for animal well-being and provides for safe andefficient management and handling of animals. Animal husbandry practiceschange as scientists, agricultural experts, and others involved withanimals learn new techniques or phase out those that are no longernecessary or appropriate. Animal husbandry practices range from dehomingcattle to prevent injury to herd-mates and farm hands to methods forhousing livestock, providing adequate nutrition, and devising breedingstrategies.

Techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer have beendeveloped and can be used to facilitate breeding. For example, becausesuch technologies permit a dam to carry an embryo other than her own,they can be used to ensure that large numbers of embryos from aparticular high quality dam (or dam line) can be implanted into alower-quality surrogate, thereby expanding the number of progeny thatcan be generated from the high-quality dam. This practice can vastlyincrease the number of offspring which may be produced by a smallselection of the best quality parent animals. However, as discussedherein, such technologies have not typically been employed with dairycattle. Among other things, they are often deemed to be too expensive towarrant use with dairy cattle. Also, to the extent that they tend toamplify particular genetic traits within a herd, they decrease geneticdiversity within the herd, increasing the severity of certain diseaseoutbreaks among other risks. Among other things, the present inventionencompasses the insight that such techniques, particularly when combinedwith crossbreeding strategies, can provide significant advantages in thehusbandry of cattle as compared with conventional approaches.

Embryonic and Fertilization Technologies

Various techniques have been developed and refined to permit humans tocontrol and/or effect animal matings optionally without animalintercourse (e.g., natural service) or even animal contact.Representative such techniques include, for example, in vitrofertilization, artificial insemination, cryopreservation (freezing) ofgametes or embryos, induction of multiple ovulations, embryo transfer,sex determination of sperm or embryos, nuclear transfer, cloning, etc.

In vitro production of ruminant embryos is a three-step processinvolving oocyte maturation, oocyte fertilization and in vitro culture.Only 30-40% of such oocytes reach the blastocyst stage, at which theycan be transferred to a recipient or frozen for future use. The qualityof the oocyte can dramatically impact the proportion of immature oocytesthat form blastocysts while the post-fertilization culture environmenthas a major influence on the quality of the blastocyst. In someembodiments, use of sperm of a specific gender in conjunction with invitro embryo production is a potentially efficient means of obtainingoffspring of the desired sex. Concerns regarding the use of sexed sementechnology include the apparent lower fertility of sorted sperm, thelower survival of sorted sperm after cryopreservation and the reducednumber of sperm that could be separated in a specified time period.Assessment of embryo quality is a challenge. Morphological assessment isat present the most popular method for embryo selection prior totransfer. Other non-invasive assessment methods include the timing ofthe first cleavage division which has been linked to developmentalability. Quantitative examination of gene expression is an additionalvaluable tool to assess the viability of cultured embryos. A substantialamount of evidence exists to demonstrate that the culture conditions towhich the embryo is exposed, particularly in the post-fertilizationperiod, can have perturbing effects on the pattern of gene expression inthe embryo with potentially important long-term consequences.

IVF is a technique in which the oocytes are extracted from a donor cowby a method of aspiration from the reproductive tract. Selected ooytesare then incubated for a period of 24 hours; this is call the maturationperiod. After maturation, the eggs are fertilized 18 to 22 hours afterthe co-culture has been made. The embryos stay in the medium until the7th day, when they are ready to be transferred. This technique has threemain advantages over conventional in vivo embryo collection. With IVF,it is not necessary to superovulate the cows, nor is it necessary tosynchronize them. This is a major breakthrough since the donor cows arenot exposed to hormones that might compromise the reproductive soundnessof the animals, and they can be worked without prior preparation timefor the procedure. Embryo production averages about 30% of the oocytesharvested, although this quantity varies depending on the breed, thedonor cow, and also the mating. Another advantage with the IVF is thatthe animals can be aspirated every 20 days instead of every 60 as in invivo embryo collection. The other advantage of IVF is that the animalscan be harvested at a very young age; this will create a major impact onbreeding selection since it reduces the generation interval for theanimals with a specific desirable trait.

Artificial insemination (AI) has been used to obtain offspring fromgenetically superior males for more than 200 years. Well known methodsto cryopreserve (freeze) and store semen have made AI accessible to morelivestock producers. In the same manner as cryopreservation of semen,embryo freezing allowed for the global commercialization of animals withhigh genetic qualities. Semen from bulls is especially amenable tofreezing and long-term storage. In the dairy industry, where largenumbers of dairy cows are managed intensely, AI is simple, economical,and successful. More than 60 percent of dairy cows in the United Statesare bred by AI. However, the situation is different for beef cattle,where breeding populations are usually maintained on range or pastureconditions. In the United States beef industry, AI accounts for lessthan 5 percent of inseminations.

Development of ET technology allows producers to obtain multiple progenyfrom genetically superior females. Fertilized embryos can be recoveredfrom females (also called embryo donors) of superior genetic merit bysurgical or nonsurgical techniques. The genetically superior embryos arethen transferred to females (also called embryo recipients) of lessergenetic merit. In cattle, efficient techniques can recover fertilizedembryos without surgery, but only one or sometimes two embryos areproduced during each normal reproductive cycle. To increase the numberof embryos that can be recovered from genetically superior females, theembryo donor is treated with a hormone regimen to induce multipleovulations, or superovulation.

The beef industry in the United States prefers male calves, which tendto have higher body weights and higher feed efficiency (compared tofemale or heifer calves) when placed in feedlots for the growing andfinishing stages of meat production. In contrast, the dairy industryprefers heifer calves, which will ultimately produce offspring and milkfor human consumption. Thus, methods are needed to determine the sex ofsperm or embryos so producers can control the sex of the offspring oftheir livestock.

Since the mid-1980s, technology has been developed to transfer thenucleus from either a blastomere (cells from early, and presumablyundifferentiated cleavage stage embryos) or a somatic cell (fibroblast,skin, heart, nerve, or other body cell) to an enucleated oocyte(unfertilized female egg cell with the nucleus removed). This “nucleartransfer” produces multiple copies of animals that are themselves nearlyidentical copies of other animals (transgenic animals, geneticallysuperior animals, or animals that produce high quantities of milk orhave some other desirable trait, etc.). This process is also referred toas cloning. To date, somatic cell nuclear transfer has been used toclone cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, mules, cats, rabbits, rats,and mice.

The technique involves culturing somatic cells from an appropriatetissue (fibroblasts) from the animal to be cloned. Nuclei from thecultured somatic cells are then microinjected into an enucleated oocyteobtained from another individual of the same or a closely relatedspecies. Through a process that is not yet understood, the nucleus fromthe somatic cell is reprogrammed to a pattern of gene expressionsuitable for directing normal development of the embryo. After furtherculture and development in vitro, the embryos are transferred to arecipient female and ultimately result in the birth of live offspring.The success rate for propagating animals by nuclear transfer is oftenless than 10 percent and depends on many factors, including the species,source of the recipient ova, cell type of the donor nuclei, treatment ofdonor cells prior to nuclear transfer, the techniques used for nucleartransfer, etc.

The present disclosure demonstrates the effectiveness of improvedcryopreserving technologies for freezing and thawing ungulate embryos.The present disclosure demonstrates that such technologies can offersignificant benefits to the dairy cattle industry.

In some embodiments, preserved embryos can be supplied to other farmsand businesses, for example to permit them to generate hybrid progenyand/or herds. In some embodiments, the present invention allows for abusiness method of screening hybrid cattle and recreatinghigh-performing hybrid cattle by selective breeding using the FO gametesof their parents.

Cryoprotectants

As notes herein, the present invention provides technologies forcryopreserving bovine embryos and/or for achieving fertilization withcryopreserved bovine embryos. In some embodiments, cryoprotectants foruse in accordance with the present invention are or compriseintracellular cryoprotectants. In some embodiments, cryoprotectants foruse in accordance with the present invention are or compriseextracellular cryoprotectants. In some embodiments, exemplarycryoprotectants (e.g., for use as intracellular cryoprotectants) may beor comprise: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, polyethylene glycol(PEG), and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, exemplarycryoprotectants (e.g., for use as extracellular cryoprotectants) may beor comprise: sucrose, trehalose, dextrose, and combinations thereof. Insome particular embodiments, cryoprotectants for use in accordance withthe present invention may be or comprise propylene glycol.

Embryonic Developmental Stages

In some embodiments, embryos may be cryopreserved at various stages ofdevelopment. In some embodiments, embryos may be cryopreserved at astage of development selected from the group consisting of: morula,early blastocyst, blastocyst, and expanded blastocyst. After blastocystformation, the embryo is prepared for implantation on the uterine wall.In some embodiments, the early blastocyst stage is characterized whereina cavity is just beginning to form and blastocyst cells are not yetdistinguishable. In some embodiments, the expanded blastocyst stage ischaracterized by a fully formed cavity.

Devices for Cryopreservation

The present invention provides devices for cryopreserving embryos. Insome embodiments, devices comprise a cryopreserved embryo incryopreservation solution positioned within a first region within thedevice, which first region is flanked by: second and third regions, eachof which are comprised of air, which second and third regions areflanked by: fourth and fifth regions, each of which are comprised ofthawing solutions, which fourth and fifth regions are flanked by: sixthand seventh regions, each of which are comprised of air, which sixth andseventh regions are flanked by: eighth and ninth regions, each of whichare comprised of thawing solutions. In some embodiments, one or moreregions of the device is a chamber.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a plurality of thedevices of for cryopreserving embryos. In some embodiments, eachplurality of devices contains an embryo from a single mating.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods comprisingsteps of making a plurality of embryos; cryopreserving the plurality ofembryos; and transferring the embryos with a conception rate of about40%. In some embodiments, embryos are optionally stored for a period oftime between cryopreserving and transferring to recipient cattle. Insome embodiments, the period of time between cryopreserving andtransferring to recipient cattle can be minutes, hours, days, weeks,months, years, or longer (e.g., multiples thereof). In some embodiments,embryos are stored for a period of time less than about 40 years, about35 years, about 30 years, about 25 years, about 20 years, about 15years, about 10 years, about 9 years, about 8 years, about 7 years,about 6 years, about 5 years, about 4 years, about 3 years, about 2years, or about one year. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for aperiod of time less than about 12, about 11, about 10, about 9, about 8,about 7, about 6, about 5, about 4, about 3, about 2, about 1 months orless. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time oftime less than about 6 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 3weeks, about 2 weeks, about 1 week, or less. In some embodiments,embryos are stored for a period of time of time less than about 7 days,about 6 days, about 5 days, about 4 days, about 3 days, about 2 days, orabout 1 day. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period oftime of time less than about 24 hours, about 20 hours, about 16 hours,about 12 hours, about 8 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2hours, or about 1 hour. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for aperiod of time of time less than about 60 minutes, about 50 minutes,about 40 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 10 minutes,about 5 minutes, about 4 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 2 minutes, orabout 1 minute.

In some embodiments, the embryos can be stored for minutes, days oryears before transferring to recipient cattle. In some embodiments, theperiod of time the embryos can be stored for can be minutes, hours,days, weeks, months, years, or longer (e.g., multiples thereof). In someembodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time less than about 40years, about 35 years, about 30 years, about 25 years, about 20 years,about 15 years, about 10 years, about 9 years, about 8 years, about 7years, about 6 years, about 5 years, about 4 years, about 3 years, about2 years, or about one year. In some embodiments, embryos are stored fora period of time less than about 12, about 11, about 10, about 9, about8, about 7, about 6, about 5, about 4, about 3, about 2, about 1 monthsor less. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time oftime less than about 6 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 3weeks, about 2 weeks, about 1 week, or less. In some embodiments,embryos are stored for a period of time of time less than about 7 days,about 6 days, about 5 days, about 4 days, about 3 days, about 2 days, orabout 1 day. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period oftime of time less than about 24 hours, about 20 hours, about 16 hours,about 12 hours, about 8 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2hours, or about 1 hour. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for aperiod of time of time less than about 60 minutes, about 50 minutes,about 40 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 10 minutes,about 5 minutes, about 4 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 2 minutes, orabout 1 minute.

In some embodiments, the step of cryopreserving comprises doing it in adevice. Embryos can be cryopreserved within devices according to methodsdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the step of cryopreservingcomprises cryopreserving a plurality of the embryos, each in its owndevice, so that a set of devices is generated. In some embodiments, aplurality of devices are maintained for a first period of time. In someembodiments, after the first period of time, at least one embryo istransferred to recipient cattle; and optionally the remaining embryosare maintained for a second period of time. In some embodiments, theperiod of time can be up to 40 years. In some embodiments, the embryoscan be stored for minutes, days or years days before being transferredto recipient cattle. In some embodiments, the second period of time theembryos can be stored for can be minutes, hours, days, weeks, months,years, or longer (e.g., multiples thereof). In some embodiments, embryosare stored for a period of time less than about 40 years, about 35years, about 30 years, about 25 years, about 20 years, about 15 years,about 10 years, about 9 years, about 8 years, about 7 years, about 6years, about 5 years, about 4 years, about 3 years, about 2 years, orabout one year. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period oftime less than about 12, about 11, about 10, about 9, about 8, about 7,about 6, about 5, about 4, about 3, about 2, about 1 months or less. Insome embodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time of time lessthan about 6 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 2weeks, about 1 week, or less. In some embodiments, embryos are storedfor a period of time of time less than about 7 days, about 6 days, about5 days, about 4 days, about 3 days, about 2 days, or about 1 day. Insome embodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time of time lessthan about 24 hours, about 20 hours, about 16 hours, about 12 hours,about 8 hours, about 4 hours, about 3 hours, about 2 hours, or about 1hour. In some embodiments, embryos are stored for a period of time oftime less than about 60 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 40 minutes,about 30 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 5 minutes,about 4 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 2 minutes, or about 1 minute.

In some embodiments the device comprises a receptacle for containing oneor more cryopreserved embryos. In some embodiments the receptaclecomprises regions or chambers for containing embryos in solution flankedby air bubbles. In some embodiments the receptacle comprises regions orchambers for separating embryos from other embryos. In some embodiments,the receptacle comprises a straw.

Exemplification

The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy rates obtained after ETIVP bovine embryos of fresh, vitrified or frozen for direct transfer.Oocytes (n=3171) recovered by OPU Girolando females were selected andsubmitted to IVM for 24 hours at 38.5° C. with 5% CO₂ in air andsaturated humidity. The IVF was done with sexed semen thawed, performedwith 5 Holstein bulls. After IVF, the presumptive zygotes were denudedand cultured for seven days under the same conditions of temperature andhumidity of IVM and IVF, but with 5% CO₂ and 5% O₂. Grade I embryos instages of BL or BX were transferred in fresh, vitrified or frozen fordirect transfer (DT). The embryos were transferred to previouslysynchronized recipients. The conception rates obtained were 51.35%(133/259) in fresh embryos, 34.62% (84/234) in vitrified ones and 42.11%(96/228) in the direct transfer embryos. The probability level of p<0.05was considered significant. The rates obtained from the IVP embryosvitrified and direct transfer indicate that the cryopreservation of IVPembryos yields similar results to those obtained after transfer of freshIVP embryos. The positive aspects of the possibility of cryopreservationof IVP embryos with the convenience of direct transfer are highlighted.

Example 1: Materials and Methods

Except where noted, all reagents were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis,MO, USA). The follicular aspiration procedures, in vitro maturation andin vitro fertilization described in Examples 1-3 were used for Examples4 and 5.

Example 2: Collection of Oocytes and In Vitro Maturation

The work was carried out with the completion of 112 ovum pick up (OPU)guided by ultrasound in 36 female donors ½ blood from the cross Gir andHolstein. After aspiration session, oocytes (n=3171) were washed inTCM-199 medium (GIBCO BRL, Grand Island, NY) buffered with Hepessupplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (GIBCO BRL; Grand Island,NY), 0.20 mM sodium pyruvate and 83.4 mg/mL amikacin (BIOCHIMICOInstitute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The oocytes were pre-selected andclassified into a mobile laboratory set up on the farm. After theselection of oocytes, they were transported to the laboratory on a BDFalcon tube 5 mL polystyrene containing 400 μL TCM-199 mediumsupplemented with 10% FBS, one mg/mL FSH (Folltropin™, Bioniche AnimalHealth, Belleville, Ont., Canada), 50 mg/mL hCG (Profas™, Serono, SaoPaulo, Brazil) and estradiol (1 mg/mL), sodium pyruvate 0.20 mm and 83.4mg/mL amikacin, covered by 350 μL of mineral oil. Recovered oocytes weretransported to the laboratory located in Mogi Mirim/SP and kept in thesame transport tube with maturation medium for 24 hours, counting fromthe moment the OPU.

Example 3: Preparation of Semen and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The IVF was performed with semen of Holstein bulls (n=5) female sexed.Semen was thawed (35° C. for 30 sec) and washed twice by centrifugation(6000 rpm for 5 min) in 1 mL of TALP supplemented with 0.2 mM pyruvateand 83.4 g/mL amikacin, buffered with 10 mM Hepes. The concentration ofsemen was adjusted to 2×10⁶ spermatozoa (sptz) mobile/mL. Theinsemination dosis was ten microliters (10⁵ sptz) was added to each dropof 50 μL of TALP-FIV (TALP supplemented with 10 g/mL heparin, 18 Mpenicillamine, 10 M and 8 M hipotaurina epinephrine) under mineral oil.Later, were added 25-30 oocytes in every drop. The incubation was for20-24 h at 38.5° C. incubator with 5% CO₂ and maximal humidity in air.

Example 4: Experiment I—Fresh IVP Embryos Transferred after Culture inthe Presence or Absence of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)

In Vitro Culture (IVC) Embryos

Oocytes (n=665) were collected by follicular aspiration guided byultrasound from Girolando donors (n=25). These were submitted to invitro fertilization with sexed semen from the same Holstein bull, withaleatory distribution of oocytes between groups.

Group with FBS—presumptive zygotes (n=303) were cultured in 100 μL dropsof SOF (synthetic oviductal fluid) (Wells et al., 1999) supplementedwith 2.5% FBS+0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) under mineral oil. On thethird (D3) and on day five (D5) of IVC, was performed substituting 50%of the volume of drops by a new medium (“feeding”). The culture mediumof “feeding” the same medium was used in the early embryo development.

Group Without FBS—presumptive zygotes (n=362) were cultured in 100 μLdrops of SOF modified without using FBS and supplemented only with 0.5%bovine serum albumin (BSA)+10 μM EDTA under oil mineral. On the third(D3) and on day five (D5) of IVC was performed substituting 50% of thevolume of drops by a new medium (“feeding”). The culture medium of“feeding” the same medium was used in the early embryo development.

After 7 days of culture, the embryos of Groups with (n=82) or withoutFBS (n=88) were transferred in fresh to recipient cows previouslysynchronized. The females were used as recipients in the first third oflactation. For synchronization of the recipients, the following protocolwas used:

-   -   Day zero (D0)—2 mg of estradiol benzoate        (Sincrodiol®)+intravaginal implant placement (CIDR®)    -   Day seven (D7)—5 mL Prostaglandin F2á (Lutalyse®)    -   Day nine (D9)—Implant Removal and application of 1 mg of        estradiol cypionate (ECP®)    -   Day eighteen (D18)—Embryo Transfer

In Experiment 1, conception rates were compared in embryos cultured intwo different medium, supplemented or not with FBS. As can be seen inTable 1, there was no difference between the two groups. This exampledemonstrates that fresh embryos grown in FBS supplemented media havesimilar viability and rates of conception as embryos not grown in FBS.

TABLE 1 Conception rate of fresh embryos transferred, grown with orwithout FBS. OO- EMBRYOS CONCEPTION CONCEPTION GROUP CYTES TRANSFERRED30 DAYS (%) 60 DAYS (%) 2.5% FBS 303 82 33 (37.5%)^(a) 31 (35.23%)^(a)No FBS 362 88 38 (46.34%)^(a) 30 (36.59%)^(a) ^(a)p < 0.05

Example 5: Comparison of Conception Rates of IVP Embryos Transferred inFresh, Vitrified or Frozen for Direct Transfer

In Vitro Culture (IVC) of Embryos

Following the procedures described in Examples 2 and 3, presumptivezygotes were co-cultured (aleatory groups of 25 oocytes per drop) in theincubator (38.5° C. with 5% CO₂ and maximal humidity in air) withgranulosa cells. The embryos for transfer in fresh or vitrification werecultured in 100 μL drops of SOF (Wells et al., 1999) supplemented with2.5% FBS+0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) under mineral oil. On the third(D3) and on day five (D5) of IVC was performed substituting 50% of thevolume of drops by a new medium (“feeding”). The culture medium of“feeding” was the same medium used in the early embryo development.Cleavage rate was evaluated on the third day of culture (D3).

Embryos for direct transfer freezing were cultured in 100 μL drops ofSOF modified without FBS and supplemented only with 0.5% bovine serumalbumin (BSA)+EDTA 10 μM under mineral oil. On the third (D3) and on dayfive (D5) of IVC was performed substituting 50% of the volume ofdroplets by a new medium (“feeding”). The culture medium of “feeding”was the same medium used in the early embryo development. Cleavage ratewas evaluated on the third day of culture (D3).

At the end of the culture period (D7), the expanded blastocystsclassified as grade 1, were loaded and transferred in fresh topreviously synchronized recipients. In the absence of recipientsavailable to all produced embryos, the surplus embryos were vitrifiedfollowing the protocol described by SANCHES et al. (2013) or frozen forlater direct transfer.

Embryo Vitrification

In this work, the embryos were cryopreserved for the vitrificationmethod according to the protocol previously described by SANCHES et al.,2013.

Briefly, embryos (Bx, n=234) were exposed to 1 min in equilibrationsolution (SE=10% EG)+10% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and then 20 secondsin the vitrification solution (VS=20% EG+20% DMSO). During the 20seconds of exposure to vitrification solution, the embryos were housedin Cryotop® (Kitazato—Shizuoka—Japan), three to five embryos per Cryotopand immediately placed in liquid nitrogen. The embryo vitrification wasbased on the technique Cryotop, described by KUWAYAMA et al. (2005).This methodology uses the concept of minimum volume, where the embryosare placed in a very thin plastic film attached to a plastic rod used tofacilitate handling. The vitrification solutions used were prepared infour-well plate (NUNC S/A, Roskilde, Denmark). The TCM-HEPES medium(TCM-199+25 mM Hepes+10% FBS) was the basis for the preparation ofsolutions containing EG and DMSO, and these have been added only at thetime of use. In both groups, the equilibrium solution (ES) wassupplemented with 20% FBS and vitrification solution (VS) was added 0.5M sucrose. First, the embryos were placed on maintenance medium(TCM-HEPES), where they were removed (three to five each) and passedinto the well 1, containing the ES. In this solution, embryos wereremained for a minute and soon after were transferred to well 2,containing the VS, which were exposed for 20 seconds. Thus, the embryoswere immediately pipetted and housed on the plastic film in Cryotop tipand the sample was immersed in liquid nitrogen.

Thawing of Vitrified Embryos

For thawing of vitrified embryos, Cryotops containing the embryos wereexposed to air for four seconds and then dipped during the warmingsolution (TCM-Hepes+sucrose 0.3 Molar) with an approximate temperatureof 35° C. Removal of the vitrification solution was made with twoexposure times (5 minutes each) in gradients of 0.3 M sucrose and 0.15,respectively, before passing to the maintenance medium TCM-Hepes (Vieiraet al. 2002; Mezzalira et al, 2004).

Slow Freezing of Embryos

In total, the embryos (n=228) were cryopreserved by slow freezing methodpreviously described for embryos obtained in vivo (Voelkel and Hu,1992). Blastocyst and expanded blastocyst were exposed to freezingsolution (SC—solução de congelação), consisting of 1.5 M ethylene glycolfor 10 minutes. The dish containing the SC and the embryos remained onthe heated plate to 35° C. during this period. The embryos were loadedinto 0.25 ml straws, and the embryo was placed on a central column,consisting of 1.5 M solution of Ethylene Glycol, surrounded by fourcolumns thawing solution (SD—solução de descongelação), interspersedwith air columns from each other (FIG. 1 ). The thawing solution (SD)was composed of 0.75 M EG The EG 1.5 M was diluted in DPBS(Nutricell—Campinas—Brazil) in 1:1 ratio. After being loaded, theembryos were placed in freezing machine (TK 1000®—Uberaba—Brazil),previously stabilized at −6° C. Two minutes after being placed into themachine, was made the crystallization (“seeding”) of the columnsimmediately above and below the embryo column. The embryos weremaintained for 10 minutes at −6° C.

The freezing curve was started, lowering the temperature at 0.5°C./minute until reaching a level of −32° C. At the end of the freezingcurve, the embryos were immersed directly in liquid nitrogen, where theywere stored before being transferred to the recipient. See also FIG. 2Afor an overview.

Thawing and Direct Transfer

At the time of transfer of cryopreserved embryos for direct transfer,embryos were removed from the liquid nitrogen container, exposed to airat room temperature for 10 seconds and then immersed in hot water at 35°C. for 30 seconds. The straw was dried with paper towels and gentlyagitated until the 5 columns inside were mixed. The goal was that the 4thawing solution columns were mixed with the freezing solution column,to rehydration already initiated within the straw. After mixing thecolumns, the embryo was transferred to the uterine horn of therecipient. See also FIG. 2B for an overview.

Females used as recipients for fresh embryos, vitrified or directtransfer were in the first third of lactation. The synchronizationprotocol was the same used in Example 4.

Statistical Analysis

Conception rates at 30 and 60 days were analyzed by Binomial LogisticRegression of IBM SPSS Statistics version 22 (IBM Inc., Armonk, NY),considering the synchronization protocol variables, age of therecipient, animal category (lactating or dry) and bull used in IVF asfixed effects. The probability level p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In Example 5, conception rates were compared at 30 and 60 days of freshembryos transferred, vitrified or frozen for direct transfer (Table 2).In this case, there was a difference between the conception rate offresh embryos transferred 51.35% (133/259) compared to both groups withcryopreserved embryos. However, there was no difference (p<0.05) inconception rates for vitrified embryos 34.62% (84/234) compared toembryos of direct transfer 42.11% (96/228).

TABLE 2 Comparison between the conception rate at 30 and 60 days of IVPembryos transferred in fresh, vitrified or frozen for direct transferand the percentage of fetal losses occurred in the 3 groups in the sameperiod. CONCEPTION CONCEPTION % LOSS EMBRYOS 30 DAYS 60 DAYS (30-60EMBRYOS TRANSFERRED (%) (%) DAYS) Fresh 259 133 (51.4%)^(a) 112(43.2%)^(a) 15.8% Vitrified 234 84 (34.6%)^(b) 73 (31.2%)^(b) 9.9%Direct Transfer 311 125 (40.19%)^(b) 108 (34.72%)^(b) 13.6% ^(a,b)p <0.05

Discussion

Comparisons of conception rates of IVP embryos transferred in fresh,vitrified or frozen for direct transfer are detailed. This is the firststudy of its kind, particularly as to the consistent number of embryostransferred, in indicus-taurus cattle.

Data presented by Perry (2014) for the year 2013 showed that only 8.9%of IVP embryos transferred worldwide were cryopreserved. Without wishingto be bound by any particular theory, we propose that this low rate maybe due to a higher sensitivity and/or lower viability (e.g., whenexposed to embryo revitalization and/or transfer technologies) of thesecryopreserved embryos as compared with fresh embryos; this low rate is alimiting aspect in using this technology for most commerciallaboratories (George, 2008). However, given the growing number of IVPembryos produced, it has become crucial to find appropriate strategiesfor cryopreservation of embryos in vitro.

The world disposes of more than 90% of the embryos produced in vitro(Perry, 2014) which reflects a broader loss, when considering geneticmaterial, supplies, materials and workmanship. Furthermore, thelogistics of administering embryos to recipients becomes more criticalwhen there is a requirement for working with only fresh embryos. For allthese disadvantages, the disposal of surplus embryos increases the costof the technique and makes it less profitable and competitive. Accordingto PONTES, (2013), the In Vitro Brazil Company dismissed about 25,000IVP embryos, between the years 2002 to 2008, because there was not awell-established cryopreservation protocol.

In addition to the challenges associated with cryopreservation and/oruse of cryopreserved embryos, it appears there has been a considerablegap in the techniques adapted to different racial types of bovineanimals. It is known there are various reproductive differences betweenanimals taurus and indicus. For example, one difference is thecharacteristics of the organelles. Working with embryos in vivo,VISINTIN et al. (2002) demonstrated specific characteristics between Bosindicus and Bos taurus embryos, especially the amount ofintracytoplasmic lipid. Considering the climatic and geographicconditions in Brazil, the aim of this work took place using embryos froma taurus-indicus-dairy herd, composed of donor Girolando. Thiscrossbreed is responsible for 80% of milk production in Brazil, due toits good adaptability for milk production on pasture and at a lower cost(Girolando, 2015).

Interest in embryo production of Girolando females has provided severalpublications in recent years. PONTES et al. (2010) compared theproduction of embryos in follicular aspirations held in donor ofHolstein, Gir and Gir. In this study, we observed a higher production ofembryos/aspiration in Gir cows in the Holstein (3.2 vs. 2.2,respectively). However, the production of embryos was greater on averagetwice as high (5.5 blastocysts) in Girolando when compared to the othertwo breeds. The present disclosure recognizes that such superiorperformance in IVP taurus indicus-embryos, permits development ofimproved embryonic cryopreservation technologies, for example in lightof the abundance of samples in feasibility experiments and obtainingpregnancies.

IVP embryos are less cryo-tolerant when compared to in vivo embryos (Abeet al., 2002) and the causes of this increased sensitivity wereattributed mainly to higher accumulation of intracellular lipids foundin the cytoplasm of IVP embryos (Abe et al, 2002; Rizos et al, 2002;Sudano et al, 2011). In this context, fetal bovine serum (FBS) as asupplement to the medium used in culture was identified as responsiblefor the lower embryonic survival after freezing (Diez et al., 2001; Abeet al, 2002; Lonergan et al 2003). However, the highest concentration ofintracytoplasmic lipid droplets cannot be considered the onlydetrimental factor to cryopreservation, one problem is multifactorial,involving the strict quality control at all stages of IVP, in obtainingan embryo quality with a view to be cryopreserved (Sudano et al., 2013).

In Example 4, follicular aspirations were performed in the same group ofdonors and embryos were cultured in the absence or presence of FBS. Theobjective was to compare pregnancy rates in both groups (with or withoutFBS) in fresh embryos transferred. There are some reports (George etal., 2008) of greater elongation of the fetus and embryonic disc moreevident in those IVP embryos cultured with BSA, compared to embryoscultured with FCS (Fetal Calf Serum).

Direct comparisons between these works was valuable, for example becausemost other work only evaluates the re-expansion rates and hatching ratesof the embryos, not reaching transfer the produced embryos. In addition,there are many differences between the composition of culture medium andculture conditions in each of these studies.

In the studies described in Example 4, no difference was observed inpregnancy (P<0.05) between groups, which allowed us to concludedispensing FBS for in vitro culture resulted in a number of pregnanciesconsistent with not using FBS.

The present disclosure appreciates that, aside from considering FBS andthe culture conditions, there is another important aspect to beconsidered: the cryoprotectant. Cryopreservation protocols shouldprevent the formation of intracellular ice crystals, and attempt tominimize the toxic and osmotic stress to the cells during freezing(Campos-Chillon et al., 2006). Thus, many of the cryoprotective agentssuch as glycerol and ethylene glycol (EG) are toxic to embryos (Dochi etal., 1988). Decreasing the time that the embryo is exposed to thesecryoprotective agents before freezing and after thawing, can reduce thetoxic effects, thus achieving higher post thaw embryo viability(Sommerfield and Niemann, 1999).

In the early 1990s, Voelkel and Hu (1992) demonstrated that the use ofethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant could be an alternative to thedirect transfer of frozen-thawed embryos, with slightly lower conceptionrates than those achieved with fresh embryos (Voelkel Hu, 1992, Leiboand Mapletoft, 1998). The direct transfer method enables the rehydrationstep in embryonic cells after thawing, can be simplified thereby makingit more accessible and an easy technique to be performed in the field.Since then, the direct transfer has been widely accepted for thefreezing of embryos produced in vivo, collected from superovulateddonors.

However, for the IVP embryos, the most widely used method for IVPembryos freezing is vitrification (Morató and Mogas, 2014), mainly dueto the speed of freezing and low cost. This made the embryo transfer amuch more efficient technology, no longer depending on the availabilityof synchronized recipients. Whatever may be the freezing method,vitrification or direct transfer, conception rates are lower than thoseobtained with fresh embryos (Leibo and Mapletoft, 1998). Thedisadvantage of vitrification is the need for a qualified embryologistto perform reheating embryos, which is beyond the minimum structurerequired for a laboratory—further complicating its application in thefield and on a large scale (Morató and Mogas, 2014).

In the present study, we used the protocol of slow freezing (directtransfer) of embryos with 1.5 M ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant forembryos. However, in previous experiments carried out by our group, wefound that when the embryos were frozen in the center column in 1.5 Methylene glycol and the side columns were composed only of DPBS, theembryos had lower rates of hatching after thawing. Without wishing to bebound by any particular theory, we propose that one explanation for ourobservations was that the embryos were being rehydrated very quicklywhen in direct contact with the post thawing DPBS.

We chose to examine use of a thawing solution composed of 0.75 Methylene glycol, arranged in four columns on both sides of the embryo.In this way, the inflow of water into embryonic cells could occur moreslowly, maintaining its integrity. A similar strategy was presented tofreezing embryos in vivo, using lateral columns to the embryo,consisting of a solution called the “holding medium,” composed of 0.37 Methylene glycol (Voekel and Hu, 1992). In that work, the pregnancy ratefor the experimental group was the same as the control group (50%).Despite pregnancy rates being relatively low, around 40%, it isimportant to consider that in vivo embryos lower stress support fortheir development and provide higher pregnancy rates. The strategy ofpackaging of indicus-taurus embryos produced in vitro, can therefore beconsidered successful.

Another important point observed in such studies was the lowest rate ofembryo survival after freezing when they were cryopreserved IVP embryosin compact morula stage, compared to embryos classified as blastocystand expanded blastocyst. Similar results were found by authors whoreviewed the morula and blastocyst of hatching rate, as an indicator ofembryo survival after cryopreservation by slow method (Pollard andLeibo, 1993), but there is no consensus on what better stage for embryocryopreservation (Saragusty and Arav, 2011).

The conception rate at 30 days of IVP fresh embryos transferred (51.4%)was higher (P>0.05) to those obtained with IVP embryos cryopreserved byvitrification (34.6%) and direct transfer (40.19%). These results werehigher than those obtained by LIM et al. (2008), which transferred IVPembryos cultured in the absence of FBS and cryopreserved by slowfreezing (22.9%) and also higher than the IVP embryos cryopreserved byvitrification with the Open Pulled Straw Technique (Vajta et al., 1998).

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, we propose that acombination of cultivation without FBS plus a loading strategy forpositioning embryos within straw devices can be the reason our protocolwas successful. The conception rate at 60 days of gestation was alsoevaluated, with higher (P>0.05) in the fresh embryos transferred (43.2%)when compared to results were similar to those published by Hasler etal. (1995), who obtained rate design 42% IVP taurus embryos transferredon day 7 post fertilization.

Findings herein demonstrate superiority of certain direct transfer(e.g., slow freezing) methodologies, as compared to vitrification asperformed herein. In some embodiments of the present invention, it maybe desirable to make a bank of embryos (e.g., using direct transfer/slowfreezing technologies), for example that may be maintained at a firstlocation (e.g., where produced). In some embodiments, transfer of suchmaintained embryos may prove more practical than use of vitrificationtechnologies.

In some embodiments, technologies described herein utilize genderseparated semen; IVP is generally considered to be the method thatallows the highest efficiency use of gender separated semen,particularly valuable in dairy farming.

In some embodiments, one or more variations or improvements may beemployed, for example, to reduce early embryonic loss rates observed incertain studies described herein (e.g., when comparing pregnancies at 30and 60 days).

Among other things, the present disclosure provides achievements andadvances in obtaining pregnancies through cryopreservation of IVPembryos. We conclude that in vitro produced embryos taurus-indicus canprovide pregnancy rates around 40% after cryopreservation byvitrification methods or slow freezing/direct transfer. Those ofordinary skill in the art, reading the present disclosure, willappreciate that application of its teachings to different contexts(e.g., different breeds, different species, different sub-species,different crosses, and/or different hybrids, etc.) will reasonably beexpected to achieve pregnancy rates of at least about 10%, about 11%,about 12%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about40%, about 45%, or about 50%, in each case materially higher than thosetypically observed (e.g., about 9%) with current technologies.

It is particularly worth noting that technologies described herein, byparticularly improving and/or enabling (e.g., by permitting achievementof pregnancy rates of at least 30%) effective slow freezing/directtransfer strategies, represent an important step for the in vitroproduction of embryos become a biotech wider use in livestock.

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. The scope of the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the above Description, butrather is as set forth in the following claims:

We claim:
 1. An ungulate animal produced by a method comprising: (1)freezing an in vitro produced ungulate embryo, wherein the freezingcomprises the steps of: (a) incubating the in vitro produced ungulateembryo in a freezing solution comprising 1.0 to 4 molar (M) ethyleneglycol for 5 to 30 minutes at a first temperature between 10° C. and 38°C.; (b) loading the in vitro produced ungulate embryo in a receptaclecomprising the steps of adding: i) a first thawing solution to saidreceptacle; ii) a first air bubble and a second thawing solution,wherein said first air bubble separates said first and second thawingsolutions; iii) a second air bubble and said in vitro produced ungulateembryo in a freezing solution, wherein said second air bubble separatessaid second thawing solution and said in vitro produced ungulate embryoin a freezing solution; iv) a third air bubble; v) a third thawingsolution, wherein said third air bubble separates said in vitro producedungulate embryo in a freezing solution and said third thawing solution;vi) a fourth air bubble; and vii) a fourth thawing solution, whereinsaid fourth air bubble separates said third and fourth thawing solutionsand said first, second, third, and fourth thawing solutions compriseethylene glycol in an isotonic diluent medium; (c) exposing thereceptacle comprising the in vitro ungulate produced embryo to atemperature of −2 to −10° C. for a time period of 1 min to 60 minutes;(d) lowering said temperature at a rate of −0.2 to −0.8° C. per minuteuntil reaching a second temperature of about −30 to about −36° C.; and(e) immersing said in vitro produced ungulate embryo in liquid nitrogenfor storage, thereby producing a frozen in vitro produced ungulateembryo; (2) thawing said frozen in vitro produced ungulate embryo,wherein the thawing comprises the steps of: (a) exposing the receptaclethat contains said frozen in vitro produced ungulate embryo to a firstthawing environment for a first period of time sufficient to thaw saidthawing solutions, wherein the first thawing temperature is from 10° C.to 38° C.; (b) exposing said receptacle to a second thawing environmentat a thawing temperature from 10° C. to 38° C. for a second period oftime, sufficient to thaw the freezing solution; and (c) mixing thethawing solutions, freezing solutions and said frozen in vitro producedungulate embryo within the receptacle, thereby generating a thawed invitro produced ungulate embryo; and (3) transferring the thawed in vitroproduced ungulate embryo to a recipient ungulate.
 2. The ungulate animalof claim 1, wherein the in vitro produced ungulate embryo is in adevelopmental stage selected from the group consisting of morula, earlyblastocyst, blastocyst, and expanded blastocyst.
 3. The ungulate animalof claim 1, wherein said in vitro produced ungulate embryo is an invitro produced ungulate embryo selected from the group consisting of Bostaurus, Bos indicus, and crossed breed Bos indicus-taurus.